Donald Ray Ownbey, Sr.

Donald Ray Ownbey, Sr., a native of Asheville, NC, went peacefully to be with the Lord on Wednesday April 19th following an illness of several months. He is preceded in death by his father Clenard Franklin Ownbey, mother Idella Gruetter Ownbey and two brothers Gene and Bud Ownbey. He is survived by his two sons, Donald R. Ownbey, Jr. and Mark Timothy Ownbey and one granddaughter, Leah Marie Ownbey, all of Monroe, NC. Donald served four years in the US Air Force and was retired from First Union Bank in Charlotte where he served as senior Vice-President. He then went on to work for TPC Piper Glen Golf Course in Charlotte, NC where he took a second retirement in 2015 after 18 years of service. He was a member of Calvary Church in Charlotte, NC, and served as an usher for several years until relocating back to Asheville, NC in Oct. of 2015. There will be a graveside service at Bethesda Methodist Church in Haw Creek in Asheville at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 22nd. A reception will follow the service. The family would like to thank all the doctors and staff of Mission Hospital and the Asheville Rehab and Nursing Facility for their service and kindness. We also want to express our sincere appreciation to his sister-in-law, Becky Reese, a longtime friend and companion, for all her care and devotion to our Dad. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family.